part of the turn

Sermon notes from week two of our series on the book of Colossians.  As I look over the notes, I realize that they are missing large parts of what I actually said. I suppose this is the weakness in posting sermon notes in this way. Anyways, enjoy.

Video: image of the invisible – thrice

 

Introduction

• This is our second week on out study of the book of Colossians. This is going to take us through to the end of the year – which is coming scary quick. We did the intro, had a two week break
• Two weeks ago… corn maize (3). lots of fun

 

Quick Review

• Colossians is written by the apostle Paul, to a young, small church in a city called Colosse located in modern day Turkey (thanksgiving??).
• Religiously, Colosse was a mix of Greek and Near East paganism, with a minority Jewish presence. Syncretism - a blending of religious thought and practice was a common at this time.
• Paul wrote this letter while he was in jail. This places this letter with Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon as the Paul’s “prison letters”. 
• We looked at Paul’s remarkable attitude and thankfulness through his extremely difficult times.
• We looked at Colossians 2:6 calling Christians to live, grow and find strength in Christ Jesus. And live thankful lives because of the work that Christ does in us. 
• We even look briefly at the verses that we are going to be discussing tonight Colossians 1:15-23. Paul got so excited thinking about what God was doing in the life of the church, that this poem jumps out of his heart, speaking of God’s goodness.
• Which brings us here. Let’s pray.

 

Christology

 

• Tonight we are going to try and do some heavy lifting.
• Look at a big word, and a pretty complex portion of text. 
• Author and Bishop N.T. Wright calls the passage we are going to study, “among the most important Christological passages in the New Testament”
• Which I suppose begs the question, “just what does ‘Christological’ mean?”
• Glad you asked. It comes from the root…
• Chris-tol-o-gy |krɪˌstɒlədʒi|
• noun
• the branch of Christian theology relating to the person, nature, and role of Christ.
• DERIVATIVES
• Christological |-təˌlɒdʒɪk(ə)l| adjective
• Christologically adverb
• And so the next obvious question is,  “Why is this important?”
• It’s important because our understanding of the “person, nature and role of Christ” is the very core of Christian belief. what
• It’s almost pointless to discuss Christianity without who Jesus was, what he was like and what he did. It’s basically the whole enchilada 
• And prepare for brief overview of a very deep subject.
• We don’t often do this but we are going be refering to this passage so constantly that I’ve prepared a handout for you guys.

Colossians 1:15-20

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

 

We are going to talk about five character traits of Jesus

1. Christ the Image of God
2. Christ the Creator
3. Christ the Sustainer
4. Christ the Head of the Church
5. Christ the Reconciler

 

Christ the Image of God

15 He is the image of the invisible God, 

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

 

Christ the Creator

… the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

 

Christ the Sustainer

 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

 

Christ the Head of the Church

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 

 

Christ the Reconciler

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

 

Colossians 1:21-23